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Maintenance amounts have been slightly adjusted. For children up to age five, the standard monthly requirement rises to €482. Children aged six to eleven are entitled to €554, and teenagers aged twelve to seventeen receive €649.
Adult children up to age 21 who still live at home will now receive €693 per month. Students living independently will see an increase in their standard requirement to €990.
The Selbstbehalt (protected minimum income) remains unchanged—€1,450 for employed obligors and €1,200 for those without gainful employment.
As before, half of the child benefit is deducted from the requirement for minors, while the full amount is deducted for adult children.
Those subject to dynamic maintenance titles must adjust payments proactively as of January 1, 2025, without any request from the entitled party.
Those subject to dynamic maintenance titles must adjust payments proactively as of January 1, 2025, without any request from the entitled party.
Slight Increase in Child Maintenance Requirements
At the heart of the Düsseldorf Table are the defined monthly needs of children, which have been slightly raised for 2025. While these increases may seem minimal—just a few euros—they reflect a continued effort to align support obligations with rising costs of living. The adjustments are based on the Minimum Maintenance Ordinance, which is updated annually to set the legal baseline for child maintenance.
Higher Rates for Adult Children and University Students
The most notable changes affect adult children and students. The standard monthly requirement for young adults (up to age 21) living at home has been raised to €693. Students living independently will now be entitled to €990 per month. This adjustment takes into account the sharply rising costs of rent and living expenses faced by young adults in education. It ensures that financial support remains realistic and responsive to their needs.
Protected Income Remains Stable
The table also sets out minimum subsistence levels for those required to pay maintenance, ensuring they can meet their own basic living needs. For 2025, these thresholds remain unchanged: employed persons retain €1,450, and those without employment retain €1,200. These figures are designed to prevent undue financial hardship for maintenance obligors.
Child Benefit and Income Brackets
As in previous years, the child benefit (Kindergeld) continues to be credited toward the maintenance requirement—partially for minors and fully for adult children. No changes to the amount of child benefit are currently planned. The income bracket structure of the table also remains unchanged, still comprising 15 levels based on the obligor’s adjusted net income. The first bracket applies up to €2,100 and the highest begins from €9,701.
Obligors Must Act Proactively
Individuals subject to dynamic maintenance titles—legally binding agreements or court orders linked directly to the Düsseldorf Table—must update their payments independently as of January 1, 2025. Failure to do so may result in back-payment claims or legal consequences. It is therefore strongly advised that maintenance obligors review the new payment amounts and act accordingly.
Though not legally binding per se, the Düsseldorf Table is universally applied by courts and legal practitioners as the standard framework for calculating maintenance. It aims to strike a fair balance between the interests of children and those required to provide financial support. The moderate increases and stable protected income thresholds reflect this principle.
The 2025 updates are a response to ongoing economic developments and are intended to bring maintenance obligations into alignment with real-world conditions. While the adjustments are moderate, it remains crucial for both obligors and recipients to understand the implications and take timely action. This summary serves as an initial guide and should not replace professional legal advice. For a tailored assessment and legal support, we are happy to assist you.
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